Asheville hopes for third Beer City USA win

Apr. 26, 2011

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Visit CITIZEN-TIMES.com/beerguy for past columns and to explore the Asheville Beer Engine, a database of brews made in Asheville and Buncombe County. Follow Beer Guy Tony Kiss on Twitter at AVLBeerguy.

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ASHEVILLE — In five short days, voting begins in the annual Beer City USA online poll. And around the mountains, many beer fans will be clicking their computers to cast a ballot, hoping to push Asheville to a third win in this online competition.

Grabbing the crown a third time would mean major props for Asheville and the nine Buncombe County breweries. For two years now, the local brewing community has been basking in the glow of the Beer City title, unscientific as it may be.

But a third championship won't be easy. In the first poll, Asheville tied with much-bigger Portland, Ore., which is famous (and deservedly so) for its craft beer scene.

Last year, Asheville took the title outright, winning 7,389 votes (38.8 percent), while Portland earned 6,565 votes (34.5 percent). Third place went to San Diego with 884 votes.

That second win prompted a visit from beer authority Charlie Papazian, who conducts the online voting at the Web site www.examiner.com.

Asheville's edge, if there is one, is the city's fairy small size (83,000) compared with Portland (583,000). Around here, there's been a big sense of pride over that Beer City title. So many drinkers are passionate about their favorite brewery and beer.

In Portland, America's 29th-largest city, they also love craft brew and their 28 breweries, but with a town that big, there's so much more going on.

But that alone will not win Asheville the title again. So don't forget to vote starting at 2 p.m. Monday.

Just homebrew it

Of all the beer festivals around here, the Just Brew It event at 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Pack Square Park looks to be one of the most interesting. Now in its second year, it features more than 60 homebrewed beers in a variety of styles, all available for tasting.

It's one of those rare chances for the public to tap into the booming homebrew community. The setup is also different. Rather than buy a ticket, you must join the Just Economics of WNC organization, and that must be done in advance.